"I was chatting to tour manager Andy Irvine and he said it's not something that's been done before so that will be a great challenge to set the players.

"To have the opportunity to do this is an unbelievable honour."

The Lions start their 10-match tour on 1 June, when they play the Barbarians in Hong Kong.

Five fixtures against Australia's Super 15 teams follow before the first of three Tests on 22 June.

Lions down under 2013

Sat 1 June v Barbarians, Hong Kong

Wed 5 June v Western Force, Perth

Sat 8 June v Queensland Reds, Brisbane

Tue 11 June v Combined NSW-Queensland, Newcastle

Sat 15 June v NSW Waratahs, Sydney

Tue 18 June v ACT Brumbies, Canberra

Sat 22 June v Australia, Brisbane

Tue 25 June v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne

Sat 29 June v Australia, Melbourne

Sat 6 July v Australia, Sydney

The Cardiff Blues back-rower was asked to captain the Lions nine days ago and described his appointment as the "hardest secret I've ever had to keep".

"You just want to tell people, but I managed to keep it to myself. It's unbelievable - an accolade that very few people are able to achieve," he said.

Warburton, who first captained Wales as a 22-year-old in 2011, was picked as captain ahead of more experienced players like Brian O'Driscoll, who will participate in his fourth tour, and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell.

The Welshman, a Lions debutant, said he would lean on the more experienced members of the 37-man squad which consists of 10 players from England, nine from Ireland and

"There's a good Welsh contingent of leaders who I can rely on and there are other experienced players in the squad who can help me along the way," said the 2012 Grand Slam-winning captain

"It's an experience I really can't wait to begin. I'm really looking forward to it now and will just keep doing what I do for Wales because I guess that's what Warren has picked me for."

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Lions 2013: Sam Warburton honoured by Lions captaincy

Lions coach Warren Gatland said he had "huge respect" for Warburton and admitted his captain would also seek advice from Ireland duo O'Driscoll and O'Connell.

"In the last two or three years he's been the most successful captain in the northern hemisphere," said the New Zealander.

"When we sat down to pick a squad, and it's a fantastically strong squad, we decided that Sam would be one of the names among the starting Test XV.

"He's going to need some support from older, experienced players like Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll.

"I have a huge amount of respect for Sam. He's an absolute professional who leads fro the front ad I believe he'll do a fantastic job. "